Daily Journey - Ra takes three manifestations
- 1- Khepri
Every day at sunrise Ra emerged from a blue lotus flower, only to immediately transform into Khepri
Khepri is the morning manifestation of Ra represented by the sacred scarab
Since the scarab beetle lays its eggs in dung, from which they emerge having been born, the ancient Egyptians believed that scarab beetles were created from dead matter.
Beetles pushed the ball into the sun so that the sun's heat hatched the egg, giving life. Because of this, they associated the Khepri with rebirth and resurrection
Khepri was principally depicted as a whole scarab beetle, or a human male with a scarab as a head The boat used by Khepri in the morning is called Matet, which meant becoming stronger
- 2- Horakhty (Horus the Elder)
Around noon, when the sun is at its full power, Ra becomes Horakhty, or "Horus of the two horizons"
This was the most popular form of Ra, patron of the Pharaoh
The Pharaohs were mortal manifestations of Horakhty, who appointed them as "shepherds of the Land"
In this manifestation Ra-Horakhty was the husband of Hathor and Isis
The Four Sons of Horus the Elder were grouped together and generally said to be born of Isis
He was depicted as a falcon or a falcon-headed man wearing the solar disk and the Double Crown and the Uraeus
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His face was visualized as the face of the sun
He carries the two scepters of kingship, the Crook and Flail, thus identifying Horakhty as the ruling king in the sky and signifying that the Pharaoh embodies him on earth
- 3- Atum
At sunset, when the sun is said to be weak and growing old, Ra becomes Atum, who symbolized the setting sun and its journey through the underworld to its rising in the east.
Atum's name is derived from the word 'tem' which means to complete or finish. Thus he has been interpreted as being the 'complete one' and also the finisher of the day
From midday on Atum travels in the Semktet boat, which means growing weaker.
The Sky goddess Nut Swallows Atum at night and gives birth to it again at dawn, every day
Each night Apep attempted to disrupt the passage of the solar barque of Atum, and attacked him in the Tenth region of the Night
Atum always wins this battle and emerges from the eastern horizon as Khepri
Atum was depicted in art as a man wearing the Double Crown of Upper and Lower Egypt
http://www.aldokkan.com/religion/ra.htm